Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing an end to his 26-year membership with the party he helped establish in 1998.
In a resignation letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Otukpo Ward in Benue State, Mark cited worsening internal divisions, unresolved leadership crises, and irreconcilable differences as reasons for his departure.
“I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect,” he wrote in the letter obtained by Channels Television.
Reflecting on his long-standing loyalty to the party, Mark noted, “You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP. Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.”
He highlighted his efforts in restoring the party’s relevance:
“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party—efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.”
However, he lamented that recent events have plunged the party into public disrepute.
“Recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” he stated.
Mark revealed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, close associates, and political allies.
“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and political associates, I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” he said.
Senator Mark served in the Senate from 1999 to 2019, representing Benue South Senatorial District. He held the position of Senate President from 2007 to 2015 and remained one of the most steadfast PDP members, never defecting until now.
His resignation comes a day after he joined other senior PDP figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former governors Sule Lamido, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, and Babangida Aliyu, in calling for a united front to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued after their meeting, the group urged Nigerians and PDP members to rally behind a broad coalition committed to promoting national unity, democracy, security, economic recovery, and the fight against corruption.
